PART 1: CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2

IT HAS BEEN DECIDED

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He had watched the gods argue with mock amusement and disinterest in the issue. However, when he heard his father call his name he became instantaneously alert.

His blue eyes glowed as he gazed at his father in dismay. 

Although he was a god and had the blood of his father making him second to his father. He had never once been to a battlefield his father never allowed it before, so why now? He swallowed, his ears must be failing him. He turned to his father in protest.

"But father, I cannot comprehend__"

"A decision has been made. You leave by night fall. Bring me his head on a platter." Zeus turned to Aiden and placed his hands on his shoulder. "You are my son and the gate of hell shall not harm you."

"Aiden has never been to a war before, then you send him for the most dangerous? I cannot permit it." Apollo objected. jolting up. His golden eyes flashed with fury.

"And you don't have to. HE IS MY SON!"

"If he is then you must know better than to send him to a war where he would most likely end up dead. Zeus your allegiance should be first to your family!" Apollo beckoned him with a pleading voice. "Even if you won't change your mind permit me to make a warrior of him before you send him off."

"My word is order, that is how it has been and that is how it will always be!" Zeus reiterated, calmly. 

When Apollo saw that he couldn't convince Zeus otherwise he looked over at his friend Aiden for help, but he wasn't speaking.

Aiden felt nothing. A god should not fear they would say. A god should be afraid nothing. he told himself over and over again, but it didn't stop his blue eyes from twinkling like the rays of the stars in that said forbidden emotion.

"Do you not trust my judgment Apollo?" Zeus asked calmly. Both eyes locked with fury. Apollo turned away. But he knew that he wasn't going to give up so easily. Something did not just feel right.

When the argument stopped the walls became tighter for Aiden.

Hera looked at the man she loved with pain, anguish almost tearing through her. She should save her son, she ought to, but to challenge her husband in front of lesser gods had its consequences which were worse than death.

She tore her eyes away from her son with great difficulty as she walked behind Zeus to the higher table. Zeus sat on his throne and Hera joined him.

The throne was made of gold and diamond. It shone as bright as the sun powered by Apollo himself. As Zeus sat, the brightness increased a thousand. Calling the gods to stand on their feet, all six of them stood.

"It is my ruling today. I Zeus god of Oceania. Leader of the people of Neptune. King of Kings and god of gods have ruled this day that my son, Aiden, shall leave by nightfall fall for the gate of hell. Only to return after with the head of Hermes or never to return forever!"

Zeus hit his staff on the ground and all the gods disappeared as a loud thunder struck the heavens gate signalling the end of the meeting and the issuance of yet another binding order.

Zeus ignored the disappointing glare Apollo gave to him as he too disappeared from the palace.

Immediately, Aiden rushed to his fathers side, his eyes twinkled with anguish and fear. He almost fell to his knees before his father, but was restrained only by shame.

"Father I've never been to war before! Do not bring death upon your only son!" He pleaded meekly. He stood at a distance from his father anxious to not be seen as the coward he is.

Nonetheless, his father knew already, he needn't hide his cowardice from him anymore than he should have hidden his presence.

Zeus sought to teach his son the act of bravery by all means possible. The son of a god would not be a coward. Not his own son.

"The people of Neptune see you as a weak, spineless god that hides behind the shadow of his fathers glory. Someday you will rule and if the people do not respect you now they won't respect you then and the kingdom will not stand."

"You have to earn your name son just Like I did mine. You should no longer be referred to as the son of Zeus but by your own name." Zeus spoke, his deep bass voice firm and devoid of question.

If there was ever a doubt in Aiden's heart it was cleared. It became obvious that his father was not going to let him off the hook this time. His mind had been made up against him.

Zeus felt his wife tense up before him, he could sense that she wanted to intervene for her son  so he gave her a signal with his eyes, not to speak in the matter.

"What If I do not return father?" Aiden asked. He scoffed. "I doubt that I shall return, father please give more thought to this matter."

"If you do not return then the prophecy will be fulfilled and we all shall go up in the flames of Hades, but I shall not give my word and take it back. There is no more thought to give on this, it has been decided. This is now binding."

"You hold the fate of Neptune in your hands now son." Zeus finished, leaving his son abashed and in terror.